The Simmons firm is dedicated to helping those affected by asbestos exposure and mesothelioma throughout the United States, including Illinois. We provide legal representation and counsel within our E. Alton and Chicago offices (and throughout the state) to families pursuing or considering the pursuit of mesothelioma litigation. Illinois people concerned about their exposure to asbestos can find valuable information and resources on this site.

The majority of individuals who have been exposed to asbestos find it at their workplaces, often due to a lack of safety precautions by the employer. The CDC has documented proportionate mortality ratios for malignant mesothelioma by occupation (1999).1 In other words, this ratio shows how great the likelihood a worker in the following occupations has of developing mesothelioma compared to the average occupation.

CDC statistics show Illinois' age-adjusted death rate for malignant mesothelioma to be between 11.5 and 23 deaths per million per year, in the highest tier for the 1999-2005 period.2 The Illinois Department of Health Services shows a corresponding mesothelioma death rate average (PDF) of 1.3 per 100,000 for 2000-2005.

Asbestos Exposure in Illinois

Superfund Site

The U.S. EPA has cited one Illinois location for asbestos contamination in its Superfund program for hazardous waste cleanup: the Johns-Manville Corp. in Waukegan. The EPA describes the site as an asbestos disposal area with "3 million cubic yards of off-specification products and wastewater sludge, containing asbestos." A residential area of Waukegan (population: 67,500) lies a half-mile northwest of the industrial site. Studies showed that the greatest risk came from airborne asbestos. The site was discovered in 1982 and was listed in the next year on the EPA's National Priorities List (NPL) for the most hazardous sites in the U.S. Johns-Manville eventually ended its onsite operations in 1998, and cleanup was completed in 2002.3

Other Asbestos Sites

According to a 2008 United States Geological Survey report (PDF), no known natural asbestos sites are in Illinois. However, more than 60 Illinois job sites have been accused of being linked to negligent exposure to asbestos. These sites include: * oil refineries * power plants * factories * businesses * marine facilities * schools

Illinois Mesothelioma Lawyers with Experience

At the Simmons firm, our Illinois mesothelioma lawyers have been working with clients suffering from diseases associated with asbestos exposure for more than ten years. Our experience, resources and dedication to personal client service have helped us recover over $3 billion in verdicts and settlements for thousands of families dealing with mesothelioma in its various forms.*

Please contact our Chicago or East Alton offices if you or a loved one has encountered mesothelioma.

The Simmons firm is one of the nation's leading supporters of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and has pledged $10 million to support cancer research at the SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University.

If you believe you may have contracted mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, please contact our Illinois asbestos lawyers for a free case evaluation.Learn More About Mesothelioma:* Mesothelioma Diagnosis Information * Types of Mesothelioma* Contact Us* Filing a Mesothelioma Lawsuit